We ALL have an impact through the work we do.

Every single business, regardless of its size, focus, sector or client base has an impact. We have an effect and an influence on the people and organisations we work with and for.

And that effect and that influence MATTERS.

Impact can be positive: we can improve a situation, we can solve a problem, we can make things better for other people.

Knowing this - REALLY being sure of it and being able to prove, evidence and demonstrate it - is such a powerful gift (more on this later…!)

But our impact can also be negative: we can make something worse.

So, it makes sense to know which scenario is happening because - after all - our businesses survive (or don’t) on the basis of our reputation.

Impact is more than counting numbers. It is about measuring the difference you make. The impression you leave. And the value you create.

It feels relatively straight forward to tally up things like the number of clients you’ve supported in a year, the volume of seminars you’ve delivered, or how many new brands you’ve created.

But to be able to know the difference that your work had… that feels harder, doesn’t it?

Here, Rachel Dunford shows you why knowing the impact of your business is vital to your sustainability and success, and gives you 5 tips on how to get started.

If you ever wondered what I do for a living, here are 6 things I want you to know about the work I do for my clients…

Something I learned last year is the importance of investing in yourself and in your business. It’s not something that I’d done much of until 2022. I managed the majority of the first decade of being self-employed completely by myself - I did everything. And somehow, I made it through!

But, they say that it takes a village to raise a child. Well I think it takes a village to run a successful thriving business.

Every year, the World Health Organisation marks World Mental Health Day on 10th October. This year, the theme, as set by the World Federation for Mental Health, is “Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority”.